It depends on the song, but unless you're playing songs that camp out on the B string, you should be ok just playing up an octave. Most players who use a 5-string tastefully (Of course, I don't know what songs your guitarist picked ) only dip below occasionally E or D for a dramatic effect. This is usually just an embellishment that can be done an ocatve up. Perhaps playing the octave further up the neck as opposed to across the fretboard will give it more girth? So, in conclusion, it depends on the song.

I must say, I'm jealous. My bandmates (specifically the guitarist) are VERY specific on what they want to do. It's pretty much split between the rhythm section and the guitarist/vocalist in terms of desire of songs to cover. But I digress. What are the specific fiver songs you were looking at doing?

Originally posted by HeavyDuty Yeah, I've noticed that - the low B is there for spice, not the main course!

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That's how I've always looked at it. Anywho, the dude from Alien Ant Farm uses a sixer, but a lot of songs, like Movies, can be played on a four. I'm pretty sure that he doesn't dip below low E, so I'm not sure how that's going to help you, but it's a good song!

Originally posted by SuperDuck I must say, I'm jealous. My bandmates (specifically the guitarist) are VERY specific on what they want to do. It's pretty much split between the rhythm section and the guitarist/vocalist in terms of desire of songs to cover. But I digress. What are the specific fiver songs you were looking at doing?

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My bandmates are also very specific:

"Let's do Deftones!"

"This Linkin Park tab is 100% correct"

"I just learned this Papa Roach riff..."

Basically you wouldn't hear the difference if I all of the sudden stopped playing. And I'm the guy who wants to be good enough to play jazz someday.